Rewarded the patience of his board in demonstrating how experience in managing a lengthy injury list and coaxing players back into form can transform a season. Ten points from four games moved his side into the Play-Off places.

Keith Hill (Rochdale)

Bottom in mid-September, his side finished 2016 in fourth after another swashbuckling month that reflected Hill’s footballing beliefs in scoring 11 goals during their four wins from four games, including a 3-2 victory over leaders Scunthorpe United.

Uwe Rosler (Fleetwood Town)

Having scored in every league game prior to December, the net was harder for Fleetwood to find this month. Thanks to Rosler’s tactical nous and the belief he has instilled, their upward spiral continued with eight points from four unbeaten games.

Chris Wilder (Sheffield United)

Ended the year as he ended last season with Northampton, with his side top of their division. Victory over his former club was one of four in a perfect month for his new charges, with nine goals scored and just one conceded.

Player Nominations

Gwion Edwards (Peterborough United) – winger

Happy on the wing or centrally, the Welshman provided stunning examples of both roles, stepping inside to fizz a 25-yarder into the top corner against Chesterfield and offering up a mesmerising 50-yard dribble and finish at Charlton Athletic.

Matty Lund (Rochdale) – midfielder

Defensive midfielders stop the opposition scoring, something Lund did with notable tackles in the wins over leaders Scunthorpe United and Northampton Town. What he also managed in the latter game was to score a perfect hat-trick, the first of his career.

Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers) – striker

Three more goals took Taylor’s tally in 44 Sky Bet EFL games in 2016 to an astonishing 29. Having not played above National League level until 17 months ago, he continues to find ways to score in spite of facing better defenders in League One.

David Wheater (Bolton Wanderers) – central defender

His experience and know-how have proved vital in Wanderers conceding just 15 goals in 24 league games – best in the Sky Bet EFL. Also found time to go forward for set pieces and score both goals in the 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town.